26 May 2011

Independent tests show Goodyear Assurance ArmorGrip tyre can reduce vehicle stopping distances by as much as 15 metres*

The Goodyear Assurance ArmorGrip tyre has taken top spot in the 2011 CHOICE Car Tyres Review and Compare, scoring an overall score of 84% and giving it back to back titles after also claiming equal first place last year.

CHOICE is the number one advocate of consumer rights in Australia and is an independent body that delivers expert, unbiased information to consumers across a range of goods and services. Its research and testing is conducted using rigorous scientific test methods.

The 2011 CHOICE Car Tyres Review and Compare studied 18 different 175/65R14 size tyres from various manufacturers costing between $75 and $127 per tyre, testing and ranking them across four performance categories: Dry Cornering, Wet Cornering, Dry Braking and Wet Braking.

Goodyear's Assurance ArmorGrip, a passenger tyre for small, medium and family cars, blitzed the competition coming out on top in all four categories, performing exceptionally well in both the Wet Cornering and Wet Braking tests where it was the outright leader.

Goodyear Consumer Product Manager, Blake Vincent, said: "The fact that the Assurance ArmorGrip tyre ranked so highly in every test is an excellent reflection of Goodyear's commitment to innovative tyre technologies that deliver real benefits to consumers.

"ArmorGrip technology, an innovative feature of this tyre, utilises a layer of DuPont™ Kevlar® for outstanding durability. The tyre also incorporates waffle blade technology for maximised traction, handling and grip, which allows for superior cornering and handling in wet and dry conditions.

"In addition, the Assurance ArmorGrip is also constructed using a silica compound which helps to reduce rolling resistance, and therefore can help improve fuel economy.

"We're very proud to have come out on top in these comparisons; it reinforces what we already know to be true about this tyre's exceptional performance."

One of the most worrying findings of the CHOICE test though was the performance of some of the cheaper varieties of tyres. The stopping distances between premium and cheap tyres were particularly highlighted by the Goodyear Assurance ArmorGrip having an advantage of a staggering 15 metres in the wet at 80km/h over the bottom placed performer*.

"Vehicle stopping distance depends on a range of factors such as speed, driving conditions, and the type and condition of the tyres and brakes," Mr Vincent continued.

"While drivers cannot control the weather and the physical driving conditions, they can control how fast they are travelling and whether their fitted tyres and brakes lend themselves to providing the best possible chance to avoid an accident.

"The CHOICE result showcases the Goodyear Assurance ArmorGrip's superb handling capabilities across all conditions, particularly in the wet where it was well over twice as good as some of the competitors in the review, equating to approximately 3-4 car lengths in distance at 80km/h."

CHOICE's overall score is made up of Dry Cornering (30%), Wet Cornering (30%), Dry Braking (20%) and Wet Braking (20%). For cornering, CHOICE testers assessed how well the tyres kept the car in the set lane at speeds of 85km/h and 80km/h in dry conditions, and of 80km/h and 75km/h in wet conditions, using a right-hand corner with about a 55m radius. Brake testing used a GPS system to measure the distance it takes to come to a complete standstill in an emergency situation, from driving speeds of 50km/h and 80km/h in both dry and wet conditions.

This size tyre tested is suitable for at least some versions of popular current and older-model small cars such as the Ford Fiesta, Honda Jazz, Hyundai Getz, Mazda2 and Toyota Yaris.